As Tropical Storm Andrea moves north, heavy rain is occurring along the west coast of Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center's 10 p.m. advisory on the storm.

The storm is located about 270 miles west-southwest of Tampa, and about 270 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola, Fla. Maximum sustained winds are 40 mph, and the storm is moving north at 6 mph.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the West Coast of Florida from Boca Grande to Ochlocknee River. A tropical storm watch is in effect for Flagler Beach, Fla., to Surf City, N.C.

At 10 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Andrea was located near latitude 26.0 north and longitude 86.3 west. A turn toward the northeast and an increase in forward speed are expected overnight and Thursday, followed by a further increase in forward speed Thursday night and Friday. On the forecast track, the center of Andrea will reach the coast of the Florida Big Bend area Thursday evening, then move from southeastern Georgia across southeastern South Carolina and eastern North Carolina Thursday night and Friday.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.